Baghdatis ready for grand slam

SYDNEY – Marcos Baghdatis warmed up for the first Grand Slam of the year with a 6-4, 7-6 (2) win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet in Saturday’s Sydney International final.

Baghdatis, runner-up to Roger Federer at the 2006 Australian Open, won the first set before the players had a 75-minute wait in the dressing room during a rainstorm at Sydney Olympic Park.

Baghdatis fell behind 5-2 in the second set before breaking back twice and leveling at 5-5, then prevailing in the tiebreaker. It was Baghdatis’ fourth career ATP singles title.

Baghdatis, who has won 16 of his last 17 matches including a challenger event in Tashkent and the title at Stockholm, is unseeded at the Australian Open as he continues his comeback from wrist and back injuries last year. (AP)